US, allies plan show of force in South China Sea
Japan, Australia, and the Philippines have joined with Washington for a joint military drill in waters claimed by Beijing The US and three of its allies have announced a joint military exercise in disputed waters of the South China Sea, potentially ratcheting up tensions with Beijing as they seek to demonstrate their.....»»
Philippines: New Drug War Declared in Davao City
(Manila) - The mayor of Davao City in the Philippines, Sebastian Duterte, recently declared a new "war on drugs," suggestive of the abusive campaign of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Human Rights Watch said today. Local authorities killed five people in the 24 hours after he made the declaration and at least seven within a matter of days.The failu.....»»
PM heads to Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines this week (April 14-20), along with a senior business delegation, signalling the Government's commitment to deepen New Zealand's international engagement, especially our relationships in South East Asia."South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to our prosperity and our security......»»
US admiral alleges China gaining territorial space through force
SYDNEY, Australia: This week, Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said China is trying to gain territorial space through force through its actions in the South China Sea, which are destabilizing the region. A series of recent maritime run-ins between the Philippines and China have involved water cannons and heated verbal exchanges. In an address to the Lowy Institute think t.....»»
Philippines central bank keeps key interest rates unchanged
MANILA, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine central bank opted Monday to keep the bank's target reverse repurchase rate at 6.5 percent, and the interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities at 6 percent and 7 percent respectively. In a press conference, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona said the latest inflation path has shifted slightly higher but still remains within targe.....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, April 8
TOKYO -- The number of people hospitalized in Japan due to health damage related to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's dietary supplement containing red yeast rice, or beni-koji, had risen to 212, local media reported on Monday. The figure was updated as of Sunday, with those who have since been discharged included, national news agency Kyodo reported citing the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. (Japan-Drugmaker-He.....»»
Infectious pertussis disease rising in Philippines with 54 deaths
MANILA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said that the contagious bacterial disease called pertussis continues to spread in the country, noting that 54 children have died from the respiratory disease. From Jan. 1 to March 30, the DOH tallied 1,112 cases, or "almost 34 times that of the same period last year," with 54 deaths. "All 54 deaths are less than 5 years old," DOH.....»»
Readout of Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall s travel to the Philippines
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of Staff Armed Forces Philippines Gen. Romeo Brawner, walk together during a reception ceremony in Manila on April 5, 2024. Kendall was joined by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi to meet with Philippine military and security partners during a trip to the Indo-pacific region. (U.S. Department of State photo by.....»»
Australian lawmakers talk up security cooperation during Taiwan visit
A leading Australian opposition lawmaker visiting Taiwan this week has highlighted the importance of security cooperation between Taiwan and Australia.In a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen Monday, Andrew Wallace, the deputy chair of Australia's Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, said that in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape, security cooperation is 'paramount.'.....»»
Healthcare Heroes Celebrated as Philippines Commemorates Day of Valor
Healthcare workers, who bravely put themselves at risk to protect our communities, deserve to be safeguarded. This was BAN Toxics' message as the country celebrates the Day of Valor."As we continue to navigate the post-COVID-19 landscape, let us not forget the sacrifices of our healthcare workers who were at the frontlines of the past global pandemic. They remain our heroes who risk their lives to provide us wit.....»»
Philippines FDI net inflows grow by 89.9 pct in January
MANILA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines grew year-on-year by 89.9 percent in January to 907 million U.S. dollars, the country's central bank said Wednesday. "The increase in FDI was supported mainly by the 173.2 percent expansion in nonresidents' net investments in debt instruments to 820 million dollars from 300 million dollars in January 2023," the Bangko S.....»»
Vietnam s Q1 rice export up 42 pct in value
HANOI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam exported over 2.1 million tons of rice, up 42 percent year-on-year in value, in the first quarter of this year, VnExpress reported Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The country earned 1.4 billion U.S. dollars from exporting rice during the cited period, said the report. The Philippines was the biggest importer of Vietnamese rice, accou.....»»
China s Xi, former Taiwanese president push unification
Taipei, Taiwan - Chinese leader Xi Jinping met former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, wrapping up an 11-day "journey of peace" aimed at promoting unification between Taiwan and China.Although unification with authoritarian China has little support in democratic Taiwan, according to public opinion polls, Ma and Xi used the meeting to promote a vision they.....»»
Joe Biden hosts Japan s PM at White House, in strong message to China over policies in Indo-Pacific
Washington, DC [US], April 11 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Wednesday hosted Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for a state visit and held a crucial Oval Office meeting, reinforcing his commitment to bolstering the vital partnership in the Indo-Pacific amid a militarily and economically resurgent China, CNN reported. Over 70 items covering a wide array of critical sectors are expected to be announced as part of the.....»»
Global Failures on Healthcare Funding
(Washington) - New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that many governments around the world did not meet public healthcare spending benchmarks amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Human Rights Watch said today. The new information indicates possible violations of countries' obligations to the human right to health.WHO's Global Health Expenditure Database.....»»
Philippines unemployment rate drops to 3.5 pct in February
MANILA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The unemployment rate in the Philippines decreased to 3.5 percent in February from 4.5 percent in January, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday. PSA head Dennis Mapa said at a press conference that there were 1.8 million jobless Filipinos in February, lower than 2.15 million unemployed individuals in January. National Economic and Development Authority Se.....»»
Philippines total external trade up 9.7 pct in February
MANILA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' total external trade in goods increased by 9.7 percent in February to 15.46 billion U.S. dollars, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday. Of the total external trade in February, 61.8 percent were imported goods, while the rest were exported goods, the agency said. The PSA said the deficit of trade in goods amounted to 3.65 billion dollars,.....»»
Declining public trust: Long list of problems in PCSO
FOR THOSE willing to play the odds, the small price of a lottery ticket holds up the magic power of possibility, the freedom from financial worries and deprivation, the dream of a different life come true. The little bit of chance enlivens with its promise of relief from the burdens of poverty or for those who are not poor, for more of the good life. Filipinos have embraced the Lotto. It is part of national life......»»
Two Philippines Navy Pilots Killed in Helicopter Crash
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Two Philippine navy pilots were killed on Thursday when their helicopter crashed during a training flight, the military said. - Other Media news - The navy said in a statement a Robinson R22 helicopter with two officers on board was forced to make an emergency landing near a market south of Manila, Reuters reported.The pilots were rushed to nearby hospitals, but eventually died from.....»»
Heatwaves Put Millions of Children in Asia at Risk: UN
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Massive heatwaves across East Asia and the Pacific could place millions of children at risk, the UN warned Thursday, calling for action to protect vulnerable people from the soaring temperatures. - Other Media news - Global monitors have warned that 2024 is shaping up to be the hottest year on record, marked by climate extremes and rising greenhouse gas emissions, AFP reported.The U.....»»